Valve or faucet for fluids with mechanical locking device

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a valve or faucet for fluids, comprising a body, a stop valve rotating in said body between a closing position and an opening position, and control means for the rotation of said stop valve, in which the said control means are axially movable between a raised position in which they are locked at an angle to the body of the valve and a lowered position in which they are free to rotate, said means being usually kept in the raised position by an elastic element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to a valve or faucet for fluids of the type with a ball stop valve arranged in the fluid passage duct and rotating between a closing position and an opening position of said duct.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the prior-art embodiments, the ball stop valve is restrained to a control rod, at the free end of which is fixed a throttle or grip lever for the opening/closing of the valve. In practice, to change the position of the ball stop valve and thus the fluid passage aperture, it is sufficient to rotate, even a little, the throttle or grip lever. It has been observed that in some cases such a rotation of the throttle may occur accidentally, for example, during maintenance operations of the unit or following strong vibrations, or may be carried out by unauthorized persons, for example, by children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback and to propose a valve or faucet for fluids of the type with a ball stop valve provided with a mechanical locking device, which reduces the risk of an accidental or unintentional rotation of the throttle or grip lever, which controls the ball stop valve.

[0004] This object is accomplished with a valve or faucet for fluids comprising a body, a stop valve rotating in said body between a closing position and an opening position, and control means for the rotation of said stop valve, where said control means are axially movable between a raised position, in which they are locked at an angle to the body of the valve, and a lowered position, in which they are free to rotate. The control means, which can be actuated to rotate by means of a throttle or grip lever, are usually kept in the raised position by an elastic element and can be moved into a lowered position by exerting force on said throttle or grip lever downwards so as to overcome the opposition of the elastic element.

[0005] In practice, then, to be able to rotate the throttle or grip lever and thus the ball stop valve by means of the control means, it is first necessary to unlock these means by moving them axially. In other words, the actuation of the valve requires, instead of one, two moves in succession, which are well distinguished from one another.

[0006] Therefore, it appears evident that the rotation of the control members of the valve or faucet can occur only voluntarily and by an authorized person who knows how to move the throttle or grip lever.

[0007] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In the drawings:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the control members of a valve according to the present invention; and

[0010]FIG. 2 shows the valve in axial section and in the locked position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring to the drawings in particular, the valve or faucet for fluids comprises a body 10, in which is provided in a known manner a duct 11 for the passage of fluid. In the body 10 is arranged a ball stop valve 12 rotating between a closing position and an opening position of the duct 11. Control means 13, 14 are connected to the ball stop valve 12, by means of which the stop valve can be rotated 90° between said two opening and closing positions. A throttle or grip lever 15 is fit flush to the control means for this rotation.

[0012] In accordance with the present invention, the control means comprise a first pin 13 joined to the ball stop valve 12 and a second pin 14 arranged in continuation of the first pin and fixed at an angle to same. The throttle or grip lever 15 is screwed to the tip of said second pin 14. In addition, the latter is axially movable in relation to the first pin 13 between a raised locking position, in which it is fixed at an angle to the valve body and thus cannot be rotated, and a lowered unlocking position in which the throttle or grip lever 15, the two pins 13, 14 and the ball stop valve 12 can be rotated. For this purpose, the second pin 14 has a hollow cylindrical base 16 designed for coupling with and for sliding on the free end of the first pin 13. This cylindrical base 16 is guided on the outside in a circular seat 17 provided in the body 10 of the valve. In the upper part of the said circular seat 17 is provided a step 18, in which is arranged a washer that surrounds the second pin 14, being partially superimposed on the base 16, and whose internal shape, in combination with that of the said second pin, makes possible the locking and unlocking of same depending on its axial position.

[0013] In particular, the washer 19 has two diametrically opposed, radial slits, in which a longitudinal wall 21 of the second pin 14, which extends from the cylindrical base 16, is designed to engage. This wall 21 has a step 22 on each of the two sides in such a way as to have a wider lower part designed to engage in the slits 20 of the washer and a narrower upper part capable of rotating in the washer without interfering in the said slits. The latter are, moreover, joined together by means of two opposed circumferential arches 23 so as to make possible a 90° rotation of the control means.

[0014] The second pin 14 is usually kept in the raised position by a helical spring 24 accommodated in an axial seat 24′ provided in the first pin 13 and acting on the cylindrical base 16 of the second pin 14.

[0015] For its locking at an angle to the body 10 of the valve, the washer 19 has at least one radial tooth 25, which is inserted into a corresponding notch 25′ provided in the said body 10. Finally, the washer 19 and the two pins 13, 14 are kept in the respective seats in the body of the valve by an elastic ring 26 arranged and locked above the washer 19.

[0016] As stated it appears evident that, before rotating the throttle or grip lever 15 starting from the locked position, it is necessary to exert a pressure in the axial direction on the said throttle in such a way that the second pin 14 is moved towards the first pin, which is disengaged from the slits of the washer 19. Only at this point is it possible to rotate the control members 90° in order to open or close the valve. Once brought back to the starting angular position, these control members shall automatically return into the locking position thanks to the upward force of the spring 24.

[0017] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Valve or faucet for fluids, comprising a body, a stop valve rotating in said body between a closing position and an opening position, and control means for the rotation of said stop valve, characterized in that said control means are axially movable between a raised position, in which they are locked at an angle to said body of the valve, and a lowered position, in which they are free to rotate, said means usually being kept in the raised position by an elastic element.
 2. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 1, in which said control means comprise a first pin joined to said stop valve and a second pin joined at an angle to said first pin and fixed to a throttle or grip lever, said second pin being axially movable in relation to said first pin between the raised locking position and the lowered unlocking position, said elastic element arranged between the two said pins.
 3. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 2, in which around said second pin is provided a washer locked in a seat provided in said body of the valve, said second pin and said washer being shaped so as to be fixed at an angle when said second pin is in the raised position and released when said second pin is in the lowered position.
 4. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 3, in which said washer has at least one radial slit, and in which said second pin has a longitudinal wall designed to engage usually in said slit and having a profile that tapers upwards in order to be disengaged from said slit when said pin is moved into the lowered position.
 5. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 4, in which said washer has two opposed radial slits joined together by opposed circumferential arches, and in which said longitudinal wall of the said second pin has a step in each of its opposed sides that are designed to engage in said slits, said second pin being free to perform a maximum rotation of 90° along said arches when it is moved into the lowered position.
 6. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 5, in which said longitudinal wall of said second pin extends from a hollow cylindrical base guided on its outside in a circular seat provided in said valve body and shaped on its inside to be joined to and to slide on said first pin.
 7. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 6, in which said elastic element consists of a helical spring accommodated in an axial seat provided in said first pin and acting on said cylindrical base of said second pin.
 8. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 3, in which said washer has at least one radial tooth insertable into a corresponding notch provided in said valve body for locking at an angle to same.
 9. Valve or faucet for fluids in accordance with claim 3, in which said washer and said pins are kept in their respective seats in the valve body by an elastic ring arranged and locked above said washer. 